RebeccaW's Journey with Colorectal (Colon) Cancer

My husband was having overall health issues all year. What we thought was aother kidney stone turned into stage 4 colon cancer that had mastetized to four tumors in his liver. I knew it before we got the official disgnosis but it still Suckerpunched me and my family. Out faith is one of the few things that got us through the initial shock. The tumor in his colon was blocking him and he had to have a colectomy.

The surgery and recovery went quicker than expected. It was hard to see my husband go through sometng so humbling but his faith pulls him through. I'll never forget the third day how both of us felt so deflated and defeated. I put on some worship music and just spent time with one another in silence. This. peace filled the room and when done, my husband had color back in his face. It was like a kiss from heaven!

We are currenty at the phase of trying to decide what direction to go in as far as treatment. Its depressing to see how little time we might have. However we have seen glimpses of hope through the various clinical trials and homeopathic approaches when they are combined together. We have three weeks until we start in order to decide what kind of direction we will go first. UPDATE: Because of the advancement of my husbands cancer we decided chemo is the only way he can get through this.

We signed up for a clinical trial with ambalization beeds known as direct chemotherapy to the liver. Unfortunately, he got picked into the "control" arm that would mean that he is only getting systemic chemo. He go this port in on November 28th but we are STILL waiting for the insurance (12/7/11) to approve his NORMAL chemotherapy routine. I don't understand what or why they think the chemotherapy is too expensive. THEY are the one's that don't cover healthy alternatives such as Gerson therapy. UGH!

He decided to do normal chemo but is also taking supplements that compliment the chemo and help protect the rest of his body. He is also juicing, blending raw fruits and veggie as well as eating organic, unprocessed meals. This, along with meditation and prayer is the reason we feel he is doing so well.

We got news that the tumors are shrinking via a CAT and PET scan. Also, his CEA markers went down from 578 to 19.9. And this was after 8 out of 12 rounds of chemo. The juicing, non processed, organic healthy foods as well as supplementation is working. And it's all being documented through the clinical trial. Also, his tumors are shrinking. Hope to post pictures soon or you can see them on his Facebook Fanpage at: www.facebook.com/thereisnoiincancer

Mark finished his 12th round of chemo on June 4th and returned his chemo pump on June 6th. His CEA tumor markers have dropped from 578 to 10 (normal is 5) and he has a CT scan on Friday to see how the tumors are doing. He will then get a break for a while on the chemo and get "scanned" every 6 weeks to see if there is any regrowth. We are so thankful to the doctors and nurses at Sutter Medical Foundation in Roseville as they have been WONDERFUL! Will keep everyone up to date on the results.

Marks tumors are not gone but reduced only slightly after finishing his first six months of treatment. He has started another six months of chemo but this time without the Oxyplatin to avoid his neuropathy getting worse. His platelets continue to stay low but has had offers from two people that they will donate their platelets. He feels okay so far but know that the effects from chemo are accumulative.

Mark stopped the Oxyplatin because he was getting really bad neuropathy. So we just did the FolFox 6 and Avastin. His tumor markers are slowly starting to rise again. So they are going to try another chemo cocktail to see if the tumors will respond better and not continue to grow back. We also got some bad news that my son's girlfriend, Allison, is losing her mother to stage 4 ovarian cancer and only has weeks to live. This has been a very hard road.

The new chemo my husband is on causes a huge rash on his face, chest and back but his energy is way up and he feels much better. We are hoping this new chemo causes the colon cancer in the liver to shrink and die.

Mark's PET scan came back free and clear. They are still going to continue chemotherapy for two months to finish up this round. It was SO good to hear the R word!!!

Mark is officially in remission and had his last round of chemo on June 3rd, 2013. His tumor markers have dropped to Normal at 3.5. This is a huge relief!

Mark's cancer has slowly come out of remission outside of the chemotherapy. Now we have to go back into chemo.

Started on Stivarga. Three days into the experience he was in the hospital with his liver in drug induced Hepatitis.

In November 2015, Mark tried an herbal remedy called Hoxsey. After a month his liver tumor markers increased drastically and we had to go back on chemotherapy.

Mark started Zaltrap in December 2014 and is currently on it now.

Hospice

Mark passed on September 22, 2016